WILLIAM "BILL" DESCHAMPS

WILLIAM "BILL" DESCHAMPS October 11, 1932 ~ September 6, 2012 "Bill was loved by all who knew him."

William "Bill" Deschamps, 79, passed away on Sept. 6, 2012 at the Kadlec Hospital in Richland, WA surrounded by loved ones, due to heart failure. He was born in Kimberley, B.C. Canada on Oct. 11, 1932 to Charles and Isabelle Deschamps. Bill served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He was stationed for a time at the Boardman, OR Bombing Range at which time he met his loving wife, Aleen Browning in 1953. They were married on July 3, 1954 in Coeur d'Alene, ID and recently celebrated 58 years of marriage. Bill was a heavy equipment operator and a member of Operating Engineers Union Local #701 since 1960. He worked on numerous highway and heavy construction projects around the Northwest and was famed as a Finish Blade Operator. Bill's hobbies included spending time at his Ocean Park, WA property, digging for clams and teaching others how to dig for them. He loved gardening at his homes in Hermiston, OR and Ridgefield, WA, as well as sports, history, learning on his computer, music, dancing and spending time with family and friends. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Aleen of Ridgefield, WA; sons, William Calen Deschamps (Susan) of Ridgefield, WA and Douglas Deschamps (Katrina) of La Center, WA; daughters, Tonya Mertens of Woodland, WA; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A memorial service and reception will be held on Sat., Sept. 15, 2012 from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Summit Grove Lodge, 30810 NE Timmen Road, Ridgefield, WA 98642. Please sign his guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.